5 Photography Mistakes Realtors Should Avoid When Marketing Listings

When selling a property, the quality of your listing photos has a massive impact on buyer interest. First impressions happen in seconds, and the wrong photography choices can turn potential buyers away. To ensure your listings grab attention and drive showings, here are five common photography mistakes realtors should avoid—and detailed solutions for each.

1. Leaving Clutter in the Frame

Why This Hurts Your Listing:

Clutter in photos makes a home appear messy and smaller than it is. Buyers may have difficulty focusing on the features of the property, like spacious rooms or architectural details, because their eyes are drawn to the chaos. Clutter also prevents buyers from imagining their own belongings in the space, which is critical for emotional engagement.

How to Fix It:

– Remove personal items: Pack away family photos, toys, laundry, and anything that makes the home look too “lived in.”
– Tidy up surfaces: Clear kitchen counters of appliances, utensils, and random items. In bathrooms, hide toiletries, towels, and cleaning products.
– Minimize furniture: Too much furniture can make a space feel cramped. Remove excess pieces to showcase the room’s size and functionality.
– Don’t forget closets and storage spaces: Many buyers want to see inside storage areas. Decluttering these spaces will make them appear larger and more useful.
– Pro tip: Consider hiring a professional organizer or staging expert to get the home photo-ready.

2. Leaving Vehicles in the Driveway

Why This Hurts Your Listing:

Vehicles in the driveway or on the street create a distraction in photos, drawing attention away from the property itself. They can also make the listing feel unprofessional, especially if the vehicle is damaged, dirty, or overly large. Buyers want to see a clean, unobstructed view of the home and its curb appeal.

How to Fix It:

– Clear the driveway: Ask homeowners to park cars in the garage or down the street. Ensure there are no visible vehicles in the frame, including neighbors’ cars.
– Tidy the exterior: While clearing the driveway, take the time to remove any other distractions, like garbage bins, kids’ toys, or garden tools.
– Highlight curb appeal: With vehicles removed, the focus shifts to the home’s landscaping, architecture, and driveway quality, making a better first impression.
– Drones for the win: Aerial shots are increasingly popular, but a car in the driveway ruins even the most professional drone image. Ensure the area is cleared before any exterior shots are taken.

3. Forgetting to Open Shades and Curtains

Why This Hurts Your Listing:

Natural light is a key factor in making a home feel open, inviting, and spacious. Dark rooms with closed shades feel unwelcoming and can exaggerate flaws like small spaces or dated decor. Bright photos, on the other hand, create a warm, positive impression.

How to Fix It:

– Maximize natural light: Open all curtains, blinds, or shades before taking photos. This allows sunlight to flood the room and makes the space feel more cheerful and airy.
– Pay attention to window cleanliness: Dirty windows can dull the light and create unappealing reflections. Make sure windows are spotless before the shoot.
– Use lighting strategically: Supplement natural light with floor lamps or overhead fixtures to eliminate shadows in darker areas.
– Enhance with editing: If a room still looks dark after shooting, subtle photo editing can brighten shadows and balance exposure without overdoing it.
– Pro tip: Position yourself to avoid capturing direct sunlight, which can create glare or washed-out photos. Instead, aim for soft, diffused light.

4. Including Holiday or Seasonal Decorations

Why This Hurts Your Listing:

While holiday decorations might look charming in person, they can date your listing photos. If the home doesn’t sell quickly, outdated seasonal decor makes the property appear stale and overlooked. Buyers may also have trouble imagining their own style in the space if the home feels tied to a specific holiday or season.

How to Fix It:

– Remove all seasonal items: Before taking photos, clear away holiday decorations such as Christmas trees, Halloween pumpkins, or Easter baskets.
– Opt for neutral decor: Instead of seasonal items, use timeless, neutral accessories like vases, artwork, or throw pillows to add style without dating the photos.
– Plan ahead for future marketing: Even if your listing hits the market during the holidays, think about how the photos will look months down the line. Avoid anything that screams “winter” or “summer.”
– Focus on the home’s features: Highlight things like fireplaces, crown molding, or open layouts rather than decorations that distract from the property’s strengths.
– Pro tip: If the homeowner insists on including seasonal decor, shoot the property twice—once with neutral styling for broader appeal.

5. Not Considering the Weather

Why This Hurts Your Listing:

Bad weather can make even the most beautiful home look dull or uninviting. Overcast skies, rain, or snow can create gloomy photos that fail to excite buyers. Conversely, sunny, clear weather enhances curb appeal and creates a positive emotional reaction.

How to Fix It:

– Plan ahead: Schedule outdoor shoots for days with favorable weather. If the forecast changes, don’t hesitate to reschedule for better conditions.
– Choose the right time of day: Late morning or early afternoon often provides the best natural light for exterior shots. Avoid harsh midday sun or late shadows.
– Use photo editing: If rescheduling isn’t possible, professional editing can brighten the skies and adjust lighting to make the photos more appealing. However, avoid editing that looks fake or overly dramatic.
– Season-proof your listing: If the property is photographed in winter, clear snow from walkways and driveways, and add pops of color with plants or wreaths. In summer, trim hedges and mow the lawn to keep everything neat and vibrant.
– Pro tip: For homes with stunning views, shoot on days when the scenery is at its best—clear skies or sunsets work wonders.

First Impressions Matter

The moment buyers see a listing photo, they begin forming an opinion. By avoiding these five photography mistakes—removing clutter, clearing the driveway, opening shades, skipping seasonal decor, and accounting for weather—you can ensure your listings make a stellar first impression.

Investing in quality photos isn’t just a best practice; it’s a powerful way to showcase properties, attract buyers, and close deals faster.

Need help creating standout real estate marketing materials? Let’s talk about strategies to make your listings shine!